NEW YORK — The MLB draft is less than one month away and it’s time to look at some of the options for the Yankees to draft in 2025. The Yankees hold the 39th pick in the first round, the 103rd pick in the third round, the 134th pick in the fourth round, the 164th pick in the fifth round, the 194th pick in the sixth round, the 224th pick in the seventh round, the 254th pick in the eighth round and the 284th pick in the ninth round. I will be focusing on the first round in this projection.
The Yankees have drafted in the early rounds with a pitching first philosophy, drafting RHP’s Ben Hess, Brice Cunningham and Thatcher Hurd, and the Yankees are expected to continue this trend this year.
One name possible for the Yankees is RHP J.B. Middleton of Southern Mississippi. The 6.0 ft. power righty works with a power fastball, averaging 93–95 MPH, topping out at 97 MHP. Middleton also has a plus changeup — something the Yankees pitching department values — that averages at 93–95 MPH.
The Yankees will, of course, look for a high-upside bat, with multiple tools in their makeup to draft this year. One name possible is 2B/SS Ryan Mitchell out of Houston High School. Mitchell is a switch hitter, but is better as a left-handed hitter with elite bat speed, something the Yankees player development department values. On the defensive side, Mitchell features awesome range to both sides and solid arm strength.
Another option for the Yankees to draft on the offensive side is Alex Lodise, a shortstop out of Florida State. Lodise is a power hitter, something the Yankees stress, with a solid arm. Lodise served as one of the team captains for Florida States team, the Seminoles, showing good leadership skills.